Leadership in the Local Church: Discerning Practical Value and Developing Theological Foundations
Clear and concise directions for the role and character of the pastor may be found in the Pauline Epistles. First Timothy 3:1-7 instructs pastors to lead lives of integrity and self-control in all aspects of life, at home, in the church, and in the community. The major role of the pastor was the care and feeding of the sheep, principally through preaching and teaching. An itinerant apostle, prophet, or evangelist could not do this regularly. “It was a duty that naturally inhered in one who lived with the sheep as a local shepherd”.77 Pastors were also to protect the sheep from “wolves,” those that would exploit them in some way or bring in heretical doctrines. The pastor was to guard the flock against false teachers (2 Tim. 4:1-5).
Pentecostal pastors perceive themselves in much the same role as pastors in biblical times. They are the primary preachers and teachers to their flocks. They are the chief administrators of their congregations, overseeing all ministries. They are the chief evangelists in the normal ministry of their churches (2 Tim. 2:5). They are the main counselors to those in distress.78 Times may have changed since the inception of pastoral ministry, but people’s needs and their need of a pastor remain relevant today.
A satisfactory or sufficiently sound paradigm for pastoral leadership begins with a Pentecostal consideration of the unique character of the Church as the context of pastoral ministry. It also includes an examination of the biblical, historical, theological, experiential, and practical underpinnings of Christian leadership and pastoral service in the practice of Pentecostal ministry. Three theological themes intersect in and inform pastoral leadership: the nature of the Church, the nature of leadership in the Church, and the nature of pastoral leadership in the Church. An adequate understanding of the Church, Christian leadership, and pastoral ministry are essential for an articulate discussion or adequate practice of pastoral leadership.
Conclusion
As of this writing, in early 2010, I have been serving as pastor at John Sevier for twelve years (now renamed New Harvest). Recently, in a service acknowledging another anniversary of our tenure, the longest this congregation (or this pastor) has ever experienced, one of our congregational elders addressed the congregation on Sunday morning. Among other things, he said, “We have a good pastor. He’s our leader. And our pastor is a strong leader.” Of course, that very elder was also present that first interview back in 1997. I was honored and humbled at the affirmative applause following his statements. However, I well know that whatever element of truth may reside in his remarks is not accidental. I’ve made it a point to work at being a better leader, a stronger leader, in the local church I’m privileged to serve as pastor; and, God is gracious.
Whatever our particular gifts from God for spiritual service may be, whether preaching or teaching, counseling, administrating, fundraising, and so on and so on, to be a successful pastor one must be a strong leader. Becoming a strong leader is probably an intentional process for most of us. We have to work at it. Understanding the practical features of leadership in the local church context and applying the theological foundations for leadership in the local church context are two essential steps that have been helpful for me.
On the practical side, we must be completely convinced of the almost inestimable value of good, strong leadership for our vision of the future for our local church. Of course, we should be well aware of its needs and desires, it potential and its problems, and what leadership in that specific context will require for spiritual health and growth. On the theological side, we must know well the realities and verities of our faith and practice so that they may guide us into appropriate leadership performance and guard us from that which may be either compromising or impotent. Good theology is not merely intellectually interesting for academics; when applied, it works on the level of local churches too. Finally, as Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians we must assure that not only our doctrine but also our behavior exhibits full faithfulness to the Holy Spirit and God’s Word as we proclaim Christ and embody the gospel to the world through the ministry of our local churches. That includes leadership!
PR
Notes
1 Parts of this study are condensed and adapted from selected portions of my D Min dissertation, “Perceptions of Pastoral Leadership Principles and Practices within the Church of God (Cleveland, TN),” at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY (2002).
2 John E. Hartley, New International Biblical Commentary: Genesis (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2000), 118.
3 Ibid: 121.
4 Ibid: 124.
5 William Sanford La Sor, David Allan Hubbard, and Frederic William Bush, Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982), 105.
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